Mom was right...
Turns out, my mom was right about a lot of things.
She was right about Hamburger Helper. That stuff's just not good for you.
She was right about plucking my eyebrows. "Sometimes it hurts to be beautiful, sweetie."
And about chasing a college education and a career. She knew I'd set it all aside to raise my babies one day.
She was right about reading books, never leaving the house without mascara and putting family first.
But the one thing she really had right. The thing that put her way ahead of her time. Our dinner plates.
About three weeks ago, the USDA released the new Choose My Plate visual aid, replacing the antiquated and complicated food pyramid.
For at least the past thirty-two years, this is how the dinner plates at my childhood home have looked. A fruit, a vegetable, meat, bread and milk. But always, a fruit and vegetable.
I put up plenty of fuss. I was certainly no angel! I smashed peas under my dinner plate. Forced myself to gag on hominy. Preferred extra servings of meat and bread and milk.
But, my mom made sure the fruits and vegetables were there. Every meal.
And it only took thirty-two years for the USDA to vindicate her meal-time choices. It took me about twenty years to get it right and really get serious about making fruits and vegetables a priority.
I have said a word (or two) about the new USDA dietary guidelines, no need to repeat myself. But I wanted you to see the new dinner plate. It's simple. Easy to understand. Do-able.
And while it pains me to give credit to the current federal administration - much like it's painful to admit when mom is right - I should give credit where credit is due.
Thank you USDA, First Lady and super-smart graphic design folks! This dinner plate thing deserves my sincerest "thank you."
(My mother said so.)
She was right about Hamburger Helper. That stuff's just not good for you.
She was right about plucking my eyebrows. "Sometimes it hurts to be beautiful, sweetie."
And about chasing a college education and a career. She knew I'd set it all aside to raise my babies one day.
She was right about reading books, never leaving the house without mascara and putting family first.
But the one thing she really had right. The thing that put her way ahead of her time. Our dinner plates.
About three weeks ago, the USDA released the new Choose My Plate visual aid, replacing the antiquated and complicated food pyramid.
For at least the past thirty-two years, this is how the dinner plates at my childhood home have looked. A fruit, a vegetable, meat, bread and milk. But always, a fruit and vegetable.
I put up plenty of fuss. I was certainly no angel! I smashed peas under my dinner plate. Forced myself to gag on hominy. Preferred extra servings of meat and bread and milk.
But, my mom made sure the fruits and vegetables were there. Every meal.
And it only took thirty-two years for the USDA to vindicate her meal-time choices. It took me about twenty years to get it right and really get serious about making fruits and vegetables a priority.
I have said a word (or two) about the new USDA dietary guidelines, no need to repeat myself. But I wanted you to see the new dinner plate. It's simple. Easy to understand. Do-able.
And while it pains me to give credit to the current federal administration - much like it's painful to admit when mom is right - I should give credit where credit is due.
Thank you USDA, First Lady and super-smart graphic design folks! This dinner plate thing deserves my sincerest "thank you."
(My mother said so.)
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